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Enjoy These Sweet Lava Cake Recipes

January 21, 2016 by

With warm, gooey chocolate inside of a moist cake exterior, molten lava cake is a chocolate lover’s dream. This decadent dessert may look like a gourmet treat, but it’s actually surprisingly easy to make. Here are two sweet and simple molten lava cake recipes!

Paula Deen’s Molten Lava Cakes [Food Network]
Everything that Food Network host Paula Deen makes is delightfully sinful, and these Molten Lava Cakes are no exception. They take just 30 minutes to prepare, and the mix of bittersweet and semisweet chocolate with orange liqueur adds a unique taste that your guests and family will love.

Healthier Molten Lava Cakes for Two [Texanerin Baking]
If you want to cut calories while still maintaining the indulgent taste and texture, this Healthier Molten Lava Cake recipe from Texanerin Baking is the perfect choice. It makes just enough for two people so that you can share with a friend, but you won’t be tempted with leftovers. Plus, the dark chocolate and espresso powder add major chocolate flavor without the added sugar of milk chocolate.

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3 Healthy Weight Loss Tips for Women

December 17, 2015 by

It can be difficult to lose weight on your own, but with some dedication and a few smart tips from the professionals, your weight loss goals are completely attainable. Here are three healthy ways for women to lose weight. (Be sure to ask for doctor for advice, too!)

  1. Never skip a meal. Many people skip meals while dieting in order to cut calories (or because they went overboard with a previous meal), but this is one of the worst things you can do in the long run. Not only does skipping meals make you feel hungry and even faint or dizzy, it also slows your metabolism and can even cause you to overeat at your next meal. Shoot for five small, balanced meals per day.
  2. Be realistic about your weekly weight loss. While it is possible to drop a lot of weight all at once, you’re much more likely to gain the weight back if you follow this plan. Instead, aim to lose 2 to 2.5 pounds per week, which is the amount that most doctors consider healthiest for the average woman.
  3. Plan short, intense blocks of exercise each day. It’s not always easy to work out every day, but studies show that shorter, more intense bursts of regular exercise are more conducive to weight loss than working out for longer periods only a few times per week.

Our 75 Best Tips for Losing Weight [Woman’s Day]
Women's Health [WebMD]
6 Weight Loss Tips to Steal From French Women [Shape]

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How to Host a Great Football Party at Paseo at Bee Cave

December 3, 2015 by

It's football season! If you're a fan, most of your Sundays will be spent gathered around the TV, cheering on your favorite team, and relaxing before the start of another work week. If you'd like to share your passion with friends and family, why not host a football viewing party? Here are a few tips to ensure your party wins big with your guests:

1) Reposition the TV.
A football viewing party is the one type of party where the television takes center stage. Be sure that the TV is easily viewed from different areas around the room so that all of your guests can get in on the action. Similarly, you might need to rearrange your furniture to provide the best vantage points.

2) Decorate for the occasion.
Head to a discount party supply store to pick up football-themed wares for your event. Paper cups, plates, a tablecloth, and inexpensive football decor will add a festive flair to your party, and they shouldn't cost you too much money.

3) Serve food buffet-style.
The only thing better than the game itself is the excuse to indulge in finger foods! Provide your guests with handheld treats and eats so they can keep their eyes glued to the game. If you prefer, position your buffet table away from the TV area so guests can mingle during commercial breaks.

How to Host a Football Party [eHow]
Host a Super Bowl Party [BHG]
5 Foolproof Football Parties [MyRecipes]

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Simple Ways to Cut Costs in the Home — and Out

November 19, 2015 by

If you’re looking for ways to cut costs on everyday items around the home and in your day-to-day life, these simple tips can help you get started.

  1. Lower your thermostat. When you leave for work for the day, turn down your thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees (or switch off the air conditioner in the summer). This could lower your bill up to 15% throughout the year. Also, consider applying inexpensive shrink film to your windows during the winter for added insulation.
  2. Stop speeding. To save money on gas, drive the speed limit instead of over it. This can raise your fuel efficiency by up to 17%!
  3. Make coffee at home. This also goes for eating out, grabbing a snack, or going out for happy hour after work—limit these outings to once or twice a week instead of every day.
  4. Check the thrift store. Before you buy something new, such as an air conditioner or a winter coat, visit the thrift store or consignment shop first. You could save a great deal of money on something that’s in perfect condition!

5 big bills you can cut fast [Bankrate]
Lower Your Monthly Bills Checklist [Real Simple]
30 Ways To Cut Your Monthly Expenses [Lifehack]

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Where to Shop Monogrammed Gifts Online

October 22, 2015 by

Whether you're shopping for yourself or a friend, a monogram instantly transforms an ordinary gift into a keepsake. Here are two places to shop monogrammed items online.

1) Mark and Graham
Chic and classic personalized gifts are the focus of this online-only retailer, a sibling brand to Williams-Sonoma, West Elm, and Pottery Barn. Shop initial pendants and wristlets for her, monogrammed tech cases and pocket squares for him—even customizable leashes and collars for Fido. Note that Mark and Graham's sibling brands also offer personalized gift items.

3) 2PreppyGirls.com
The web presence of this online retailer is rooted in "Southern charm and a love of all things pink and green." If your style skews preppy, you'll be delighted to peruse everything from monogrammed flip flops, aprons, and belt buckles to beach towels, car decals, and coasters.

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Track the Journey of Your Dollar Bills on “Where’s George?”

September 17, 2015 by

Ever wonder where that rumpled, wrinkly dollar bill in your wallet has been? Chances are, the bill has done its fair share of traveling all across the U.S.

Curious about his bills' journeys, former tech consultant Hank Eskin launched a currency tracking project, Where's George?, in 1998, which quickly became a sensation among hobbyists. The premise behind the website is simple: Users input the serial number of a dollar bill into the website, which will email them if the same serial number is inputted again by another user. Then, the original user can log on to see how far their bill has traveled. (Typically, a user will mark the bill in some way to denote that the bill is part of the Where's George program.)

A visit to the Where's George summary page reveals the site's current statistics, from the number of bills entered to the number of bills that have made an appearance within the tracking program more than once.

If you'd like to follow the journey of your dollar bills, visit the website to start tracking. It's free and easy to use.

Where's George [Official Site]
Where's George?: The Trail Of $1 Bills Across The U.S. [NPR]

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Healthy Recipes That’ll Curb That Chocolate Craving

August 20, 2015 by

Any chocoholic will tell you how difficult it can be to kick a chocolate craving. If you frequently dream about ice cream, chocolate bars, and decadent brownies (and just as frequently give into those cravings), you’ll appreciate these healthier chocolate recipes.

Dark Chocolate-Dipped Cherries [Whole Living]
The combination of chocolate and fruit is a true classic, and it tastes great in just about any pairing. This recipe uses tart cherries and rich, dark chocolate to satisfy your chocolate craving while still providing heart-healthy antioxidants and cancer preventative anthocyanins.

Chocolate Avocado Mousse [Fit Pregnancy]
It may sound strange, but the thick, creamy consistency of avocado makes a great base for an untraditional chocolate mousse. The dark cocoa inside masks the flavor of the avocado and leaves you with the chocolate-y taste that you know and love.

Chocolate Souflee [Eating Well]
These individual sized chocolate souflees help you to quiet your chocolate craving without overindulging. They also look as professional as a gourmet dessert, which makes them perfect for dinner parties.

Peanut Butter & Pretzel Truffles [Eating Well]
Few things go together better than peanut butter and chocolate, and this recipe is a wonderful example of that fact. These truffles are incredibly easy to make, and they also incorporate a salty taste from the crunchy pretzels.

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How to Add Color to Bare Walls With Washi Tape

July 23, 2015 by

Want to add color to your walls — without sacrificing your security deposit? Colorful washi tape is a great way to add a creative and temporary design to your walls, and it’s easy to install and remove. Here are a few ways to use washi tape to spice up your apartment.

DIY Triangle Wallpaper [brit.co]
If you want to craft a large-scale design that covers the entire wall, this beautiful geometric triangle tutorial is a great choice. By using a few different styles of washi tape in your choice of colors, some sharp scissors, and a measuring tape, you can create a floor-to-ceiling design that makes a major impact in any room.

DIY Picture Frames [washitapecrafts.com]
Instead of making holes all over your walls in order to hang traditional picture frames, follow this tutorial to craft flat frames using washi tape. The effect is eye-catching, artistic, and just as professional as a classic gallery wall.

Giant Geometric Washi Tape Jewels [curbly.com]
If you’re looking for a funky wall design for a kids’ room or an office, this unique washi tape jewel tutorial is the perfect choice. Use different colors of tape to craft large jewel shapes all over your walls for a wall covering that only looks expensive!

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How to Style a Coffee Table Like the Pros

June 18, 2015 by

The coffee table may seem like a fairly standard piece of furniture found in any home, but by using a few designer-inspired home decor tips, you can transform yours into a statement piece that ties the whole room together. Try out these DIY decorating ideas made especially for your coffee table.

  1. Add a stack of books. Coffee table books got their name because they were designed for, well, the coffee table, so it only makes sense to use them as such! Place a stack of beautiful books right in the center of your table to provide visual interest and spur conversation.
  2. Place an accent piece on top. Once you stack your books, add something pretty on top, like a great smelling candle or a small figurine. This is also a great place for a lush, green plant.
  3. Add a tray. Next to the stack of books, place an attractive tray to corral small items. Something in clear plastic, natural wood, or chic metallic are all great options.
  4. Place knick-knacks inside. Fill the tray with smaller accent pieces, such as attractive ceramics, a flower vase, or even more candles. This tray can also serve a functional purpose if you use it to store remote controls or hold your keys once you enter the door.
  5. Choose a color scheme. Choose a color scheme such as natural wood and white, or forgo the color scheme for an intentionally mismatched effect.

How to Style a Coffee Table [The Everygirl]
How to Style Your Coffee Table [Style Me Pretty: Living]
8 Stylish Tricks to Dress Up Your Coffee Table [Good Housekeeping]

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Raise a Glass to These Fun Facts About Water

May 21, 2015 by

Water is all around us and is necessary for us to live. But did you know that there are 332,500,000 cubic miles of water on Earth? And that only about one percent of that water is fresh and available for us to use? Read on to find more fun facts about Earth's most precious resource.

1) The Earth's surface is covered by 70.9 percent water, 97 percent of which is salt water. Some scientists believe that there might be more water beneath the floor of the ocean than is actually in the ocean.

2) At birth, the human body is about 80 percent water, while as an adult, a person is about 70 percent water.

3) Water can act like a magnifying glass when on the leaves of plants. The sun can reflect off small water droplets causing plants to burn! This can happen to people, too, as body hair can hold water and cause sunburn!

4) On a daily basis, Americans consume a collective 400 billion gallons of water. (Flushing the toilet consumes the most water.) Europeans use about half that amount.

5) If you're sipping water from a water bottle, note that 25 percent of bottled water manufacturers source their water from municipal water supplies! And it wasn't until 2009 that the FDA required bottle water manufacturers to screen their water supplies for E. coli bacteria!

20 Things You Didn't Know About… Water [Discover]
20 Interesting and Useful Water Facts [AllAboutWater.org]
Water Trivia Facts [EPA]

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